Saturday, September 03, 2005

Share The Burden

As Christians, we have a lot of responsibilities. We must witness to others, show God's love to others, and keep other Christians accountable. Helping someone else is a hard thing to do—it takes effort; but the Bible tells us that we are to help our fellow Christians with the struggles they face.

Galatians 6:1-10 is a section of a letter that Paul wrote to the churches in southern Galatia in order to call them to faith and freedom in Christ. In verses 1-3, Paul tells us just exactly how to help other Christians:

Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.

This verse tells us that we, who are godly (or spiritual), should help fellow Christians who have been overcome by sin. Notice though, the passage does not say that we should smite them and make them feel bad for what they have done; rather, it tells us to do it "gently and humbly". When it says to remain humble, that means we shouldn't act as if we have never sinned, therefore making them feel bad. We all sin, we mustn't make others feel like we are better than them when we try to help them. After all, it is much easier to deal with and listen to a humble person.

This passage also warns us that we should be careful to not fall into the same temptation as those who we are helping. When helping another Christian with a sin they stumble with, don't go to where they are sinning unless you are certain that you will not fall to the temptation. Instead, meet this person in a neutral place where you can counsel them and not have to worry about being tempted.

For those of you who feel that you are too important to help someone, read verse three again. It says that those who think they are too important are fooling themselves! We are not that important! In John 13:1-17, Jesus, God in the flesh, got on His knees and washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus is so much more important than we are, yet He was willing to serve! John 13:15 specifically tells us that Jesus is the ultimate example!

Throughout your day, look for ways to help others. One of the best ways to grow in your walk with Christ is to help others grow in their walk with Christ. Once we get over the fact that helping others takes effort and time, we will find that the blessings that come from helping others are so much greater than the extra effort it takes. Soon, if we as Christians help each other more and more, it will be easier for all of us to give sin the one-two-punch. Remember, "Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit" (Galatians 6:8).